Maintenance of Certification
Maintenance of Certification is designed to encourage the ongoing professional development of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as well as continued compliance with evolving global standards. This program allows clinicians to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to following global standards, maintaining competency, advancing the practice of POCUS and ensuring patient safety.
POCUS Fundamentals Certificate
The POCUS Fundamentals Certificate will not be eligible for maintenance of certification. The certificate will be date stamped and not expire.
POCUS Clinical Certificates
POCUS Clinical Certificates are valid for five (5) years. To maintain active certification, certificants need to complete the following requirements every five (5) years:
- Attest to actively practicing POCUS and being a clinician in good standing
- Complete relevant knowledge check
POCUS Specialty Certifications
POCUS Specialty Certifications are valid for five (5) years. To maintain active certification, certificants need to complete the following requirements every five (5) years:
- Attest to actively practicing POCUS and being a clinician in good standing
- Complete relevant knowledge checks
- Provide evidence of professional development through completion of 10 maintenance of certification points
Recertification Cycle
The recertification cycle runs every five (5) years from the date on which the certification was awarded. The timing is based on the rate at which POCUS practices change and is a reasonable period in which to assess that the certificant remains up-to-date with current POCUS trends and industry standards.
Certificants can begin the recertification process six (6) months before the certification expires. To be considered, all documentation and activities must be completed and submitted before the expiration date.
Notification of Impending Expiration
An automatic email will be sent to the certificant using the email address provided in the POCUS Portal six (6) months before the certification expires, notifying them their requirements are due.
Your recertification date (certification expiration date) appears on your certificate plan. Results of your recertification will be provided via email.
Professional Development
For renewal of POCUS Specialty Certifications, certificants will be required to provide evidence of ongoing professional development by completing a total of 5 maintenance of certification points within the 5 year recertification cycle.
Points may be earned in the following categories:
- Professional Education
- CPDs
- CMEs
- Ultrasound Education/Training
- Professional Contributions
- Mission trips
- POCUS presentations
- Volunteering (POCUS Certification Academy)
- POCUS research
Failure to Meet Recertification Requirements
Failure to meet recertification requirements will render your certification invalid and all associated awarded collateral (digital badge, electronic certificate, designations) will be voided.
Maintenance of Certification Documentation
Once you have earned your Maintenance of Certification you will receive updated digital badges and a new certification.
Auditing
Up to 25% of renewals may be audited. If audited, documentation must be submitted within 30 days of request. Failure to submit requested documentation within 30 days of an audit notification will result in a failed audit. Certificants who have been awarded a certification and fail an audit will have their certification revoked.
Maintenance of Certification
Maintain your POCUS certificationRenew your POCUS certification to validate your continued POCUS proficiency.
Ready to renew your POCUS certification?
Received a notice that your certification is due to expire? Renew today on myPOCUS Portal to ensure your certification remains valid.
POCUS Resources
Visit our learning library for educational POCUS content.
